Kami Retro Is A Blast From The Past

Kami Retro is a colorful blast from the past with gameplay based upon multiple classic games. Kami Retro is reinventing arcade classics for the iOS device by making everything touch based. In every level you're given four Kamis, and you try to lead them from Point A to Point B. You flick up on a Kami for it to jump, and you flick sideways for it to change direction.

Video Overview

The Good

Kami Retro takes proven enjoyable gameplay, and then adds a touch interface. This is a prototypical puzzle platformer where you need good reaction time, as well as the time to think. You need good timing to jump between platforms, and you need to analyze your plan of attack before just running mindlessly to the first platform. Most levels have special items that you need to place for each Kami to make it across the level. There are bouncy platforms, fans, and springs that need to be placed before the first Kami begins. The game does take some trial and error to place each item in the right place, but there isn't too much puzzling involved. The main part of the game is flicking the screen to control the jumping and direction of the Kamis. They run automatically, so you just alter the Kami's main actions in a level. As you advance you'll be controlling a couple of Kamis at once to make things that much tougher. Each level also has stars scattered about which can be in more precarious places than just simply going from start to finish. Playing through each of the 13 levels in all four worlds provides a lot of content to enjoy. The graphics are high quality and unique as they combine the retro feel with an updated style. The retina quality visuals are full of colors, and all the flashing is reminiscent of old arcade machines. The 2.5D graphics engine is great with a 2D background and 3D objects in the foreground.

The Bad

Kami Retro can feel too simple at times, since you don't actually control that many aspects. The majority of the game seems to be flicking to jump, which can become repetitive. The gameplay isn't as engaging as you would like at first, but that does change in the later levels. Another problem is that the levels are so small and short with such big objects on a 3.5" screen. Also, the flick controls can be a bit off from time to time so that when you try to flick sideways to change direction, the Kami jumps instead. In every level you want to save all four Kamis, and it can be frustrating restarting after you make a wrong jump on your last Kami. Placing the special items can be a bit tedious to put them in precisely the right location, so you might need to restart a couple of times to get them just right.

The Verdict

Kami Retro (iPhone, $1.99) brings something new to the App Store by borrowing ideas from multiple old games. The game is a great puzzle platformer, but it may be a bit too easy because of the lack of actions you actually do control. The levels are very short, and you can only flick to jump so many times. The graphics style is superb, and unfortunately, it outshines the gameplay. Kami Retro is worth picking up for classic arcade fun, but the game lacks some complexity to be rated any higher.

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